Provides differentiated convenience features such as position-specific videos and replays of scoring scenes
High-priced plans and technical response measures for 5G commercialization are issues that need to be resolved

When watching a baseball game, you may have seen the players and umpires arguing over whether it is out or safe. Fans want to see detailed and desired screens for situations where there is the potential for conflict. Now, instead of the TV broadcast screen provided by the broadcasting company, the broadcasting is changing into an interactive broadcast where viewers can directly select and watch screens filmed from various angles.

LG U+ announced the improved 'U+ Pro Baseball' service at a press conference. It added and strengthened features that are not available on TV broadcasts or other baseball applications. The service based on 4th generation mobile communication (4G) provides ▲videos by position, ▲replay of scoring scenes, ▲comparison of opponent records, and ▲viewing on TV in a larger format.

This is a revision that was made in response to the rapid increase in users of the U+ Pro Baseball service launched last year, and also reflects the results of a survey targeting baseball fans and experts. The derived results and patterns included data consumption burden and deterioration of image quality due to speed restrictions.

Reflecting these results, LG U+ has installed and strengthened differentiated convenience features.



'Position-by-Position Video' of all player movements on the ground in one screen
'Position-based video', which allows you to simultaneously view the movements of ground players, allows you to view the movements of home, first base, second base, infield, and outfield players on one screen while watching the live game broadcast. In addition, through the exclusive broadcast video of U+ Pro Baseball, you can check the batting, on-base, and defense of the players you are cheering for, increasing immersion and tension in the overall flow of the game.

Don't miss a single moment! 'Rewatch the scoring scene'
The replay of scoring scenes, which was popular with consumers in the previous service, has been strengthened. It can be replayed for up to 5.5 hours, up from the previous 2 hours. According to the Bizball Project, the average baseball game time is '3 hours and 21 minutes'. In other words, even if the game is extended to the bottom of the 9th inning or extra innings, you can replay one scene. You can meet the demands of fans by being able to watch key scenes immediately after the game ends without having to wait for the highlight replay.

I'm a baseball expert too! 'Comparison and analysis of relative performance' in graphics
The existing text-based analysis information was converted into a graphic image of the cumulative batted ball/pitched ball distribution over a three-year period. You can compare power in advance with image information and check the relative records of the pitchers and batters competing on the live broadcast screen.

Watch on the U+tv large screen with the smartphone broadcast screen by 'View on TV'
You can watch the smartphone broadcast screen on a large screen by connecting it to LG U+ IPTV, U+tv, through the TV View Larger function. The existing mirroring function required complicated connection settings and cables for connecting devices. By improving the inconvenience caused by this, you can now use it easily by automatically connecting to U+tv with a single click of the icon on the U+ professional baseball broadcast screen without changing any settings.

In the future, we plan to expand the smartphones and set-top boxes that support the TV viewing function, and in the second half of the year, we plan to install a separate professional baseball app on U+tv so that the service can be used without a smartphone connection.

The improved 'U+ Pro Baseball Service' emphasizes the differentiation from existing broadcasts and apps to baseball fans, but there are also things that need to be improved. There is a need for specific countermeasures for expanding consumers to secure profits at the corporate level, the problem of expensive rate plans, and the installation of 5G equipment.

First, all LG U+ customers can use the new service. However, the function of viewing on TV in large size requires high specifications to implement high-definition images, so there is a problem that it is limited to 'LG G6, V30, V30S', 'Galaxy S8, Note 8, S9'. In addition, iPhone users, who recorded 28% of the domestic market share (as of the fourth quarter of last year), cannot use it. At the meeting, LG Uplus Managing Director Park Yong-wook said, “It will only be provided to LG Uplus customers, and there are currently no plans to expand to other telecommunications companies.”

LG U+ has proposed a new data plan as the optimal rate plan for 'U+ Pro Baseball', which consumes 3.6GB of data per game. This may be seen as an inducement to use the expensive rate plan of 88,000 won, and may be seen as a burden for using the service. Regarding this, FC Division Director Lee Sang-min said, "If the data transmission speed of the service is lowered, the overall quality may decline," and "We will continue to look for new alternatives, such as data support methods, to resolve the burden on consumers."

Although it is necessary to transmit five broadcasts at once, the service that can be implemented with 4G announced that 5G will provide better picture quality, AR/VR, etc. In response to the media's question about the changing standards and technological capabilities that will need to be implemented when building a 5G communication network, Executive Director Lee Sang-min said, "Rather, we will be able to provide higher quality and more services, and we will prepare for 5G."

Joo Young-jun, in charge of mobile services, said, “In addition to professional baseball, we plan to soon launch innovative sports services that customers will like, and we will further expand into culture and performances.”